MLB Player News

Stewart was reassigned to minor-league camp by Minnesota on Wednesday, Brandon Warne of Access Twins reports.

Stewart got hit around quite a bit in spring training, allowing eight earned runs over 9.1 frames. The 31-year-old reliever is still on his way back from a Tommy John procedure he underwent in May 2021, so he will need to re-establish himself in Triple-A before he gets a chance to pitch again in the majors.

Duran (leg) is scheduled to pitch in Thursday's spring training game against Toronto, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Duran took a line drive to the leg Sunday but walked away with nothing more than a bruise. There never was much concern over his injury to begin with, and Duran himself said his leg is fine. The 25-year-old reliever was dominant last season while recording eight saves alongside a 1.86 ERA and 0.98 WHIP through 67.2 innings, and he appears in line to have a similar 2023 campaign.

Smith threw a scoreless relief inning in Wednesday's spring game against the White Sox.

Smith hurled the eighth inning ahead of closer Jose Leclerc in what looked like the bullpen's dress rehearsal for the regular season. After five shutout innings from starter Nathan Eovaldi, Taylor Hearn got four outs and Jonathan Hernandez retired two batters before the back end of the bullpen finished it off. Smith has appeared in two games since returning to camp Monday following the birth of his son.

Henriquez (elbow) threw a successful 20-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Henriquez was shut down in late February due to right posterior elbow soreness, but he has experienced no setbacks since he resumed throwing a few weeks ago. The 22-year-old should be ready to enter game action with Triple-A St. Paul sometime in April.

Reds manager David Bell confirmed Wednesday that Sims (back) will open the season on the injured list, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Sims has been bothered by back spasms, and the reliever won't be ready for the start of the season. Bell also said that Sims along with Luke Weaver (forearm) will likely pitch in rehab assignments for Triple-A Louisville before they're ready to join the Reds. Assuming he has no further setbacks, Sims has a good chance to pitch in the late innings for Cincinnati in the middle of April.

The Padres optioned Knehr to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday.

San Diego also reassigned Eric Hanhold and Aaron Brooks in this round of cuts from major-league camp. Knehr, 26, holds a 4.64 ERA and 30:24 K:BB in 42.2 career innings at the MLB level.

Winckowski is starting Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates after Kutter Crawford (undisclosed) was scratched, Mac Cerullo of The North Andover Eagle-Tribune reports.

Winckowski was scheduled to pitch Thursday in a relief role, but with Crawford unavailable, the right-hander will instead pitch in a tradional starting role. A strong outing for the 24-year-old might make him the favorite to win a spot in the rotation for the Red Sox, but he also may have locked up that role if there's any sort of injury plaguing Crawford.

Raley (hamstring) pitched in a minor-league game Wednesday and is on track to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Raley suffered a low-grade strain of his left hamstring earlier this month as he was gearing up to represent Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but he has checked most of the necessary boxes in the weeks since and should be good to go for Opening Day. The left-hander could factor into the saves mix for the Mets in 2023 with Edwin Diaz (knee) already done for the year.

Okert was held out of action Wednesday in Marlins camp because of an adductor issue, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It's something Okert has dealt with in the past and the Marlins didn't want to push him this close to Opening Day. It sounds like they feel he will be fine after a bit of rest and treatment. The 32-year-old right-hander projects to operate in a later-inning role for Miami this season.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Chargois is dealing with a stiff neck, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Chargois is already making progress with the neck trouble, and Schumaker believes he will be able to return to action for Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. The right-hander is expected to be a middle-innings option for Miami to begin the 2023 campaign.